Internet Sets Stage for Live 8 Records

Television, radio and Internet broadcasts of Saturday’s Live 8 concerts will become the “largest global live transmission in history,” predicts Kevin Wall, the event’s executive producer. Live 8 is also expected to generate the biggest ever online petition and the busiest website in the world.

‘Live 8 - The Long Walk to Justice’ will feature top artists performing in 10 concerts across the Group of Eight (G8) most powerful nations and South Africa. Anyone with an Internet connection can watch the live streams for free via the AOL Music website.

Broadcasts are expected to reach a potential audience of 5.5 billion viewers - 85 percent of the world’s population. Live Aid, held in 1985, had an estimated audience of one billion people.

AFP: Of the many changes in the 20 years since the original Live Aid, the advent of the Internet is the one that may have the greatest impact on how many people get to see the concerts as they happen. “This monumental live broadcast is without doubt the largest global live transmission in history … and, importantly, will be the first to truly embrace the powerful broadband Internet,” said Live 8 executive producer Kevin Wall.

Live 8 organizer Sir Bob Geldof said, “This is not Live Aid 2. These concerts are the start point for The Long Walk To Justice, the one way we can all make our voices heard in unison. This is without doubt a moment in history where ordinary people can grasp the chance to achieve something truly monumental and demand from the 8 world leaders at G8 an end to poverty.”

The Long Walk to Justice is expected to break a number of records. According to the official Live 8 website the event will attract: the largest ever TV audience, the largest ever text petition, the largest ever response to a TV show, the busiest website in the world and the largest ever online petition - The Live 8 list.